The Living Link is a non-profit organisation that caters for the disabled community regardless of race, gender and religious background. The centre aims to encourage and support the development of intellectually impaired adults and facilitate their transition from school to work to independent living.
The organisation was started in 2000 by Julia and Ingrid, sister and mother to Nadine who has an intellectual impairment. Through dedication and perseverance they taught Nadine essential living skills, which have contributed to her independence and her intellectual and spiritual growth. They were inspired to share their knowledge, and allow other such adults to become more valuable members of society.
Students at The Living Link complete an Adult Integration Program – aimed at integrating them into society, both in the work place and in the community. The program is life skills based and focuses on the following areas: Person Centred Planning, Employment Orientation, Personal Empowerment, Lifestyle Management and Community Survival.
The students attend an Independent Living Tour – an outdoor experience where real situations are created allowing the intellectually impaired adult the opportunity to demonstrate and practically apply their new found skills and to experience independence. Job Sampling placements allow the students the opportunity to experience different types of jobs and the realities of work.
The Living Link seeks to place graduates into open labour market employment by implementing the Supported Employment model. Adults with disabilities are placed in ordinary working environments, doing regular work where salaries and benefits are real and reflect work performance. The Living Link provides placement support and ongoing sensitisation and training to both employer and employee.
We are also exploring appointments for the graduates who have completed the Adult Integration Program to be meaningfully occupied while we find them permanent employment. We have established a relationship with the Insurance Seta (Inseta), for an internship and would welcome internships with other Setas. The types of tasks suitable would be entry level, repetitive simple jobs
Based on the idea of full inclusion, The Living Link encourages and facilitates the transition of their members into independent living. Adults with disabilities who have employment are supported in making the move away from their parents and into the community. With structured intervention these adults manage their own lives and households.
The Living Link strives to facilitate growth and change by empowering their members, support networks and the community and by creating an environment of understanding, acceptance and possibility.
Operates in: Johannesburg, Gauteng
Established in: March 2000
Non-Profit Organisation Number: 022-273
Public Benefit Organisation Number:
Section 21 Company Number:
Trust Number:
Contact person: Joanne Smuts
Phone: 011 447 7183
Fax: 011 447 7183
Email:
Website: www.thelivinglink.co.za
Physical address: 1 17th Street, Parkhurst
Postal address: P O Box 81228, Parkhurst, 2193
